The Morehead State Eagles take on the Nevada Wolf Pack in the fourth round of the CBI tournament at Ellis T Johnson Arena. The game starts at 8:30 pm ET on Monday, Mar. 28 and will air on ESU and ES3.
The Eagles enter this game hoping for similar success after beating Ohio 77-72 in the 3. Xavier Moon was the team’s high scorer with 18 points on 4-for-8 shooting. The Wolf Pack, meanwhile, are coming off an 86-72 win against Vermont in the 3. Cameron Oliver had a big game, recording 23 points and 11 rebounds to claim his 10th double-double of the season.
Oliver has upped his play over the last five games for the Wolf Pack, averaging 23.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.2 blocks, and 1.4 three-pointers.
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between two of the nation’s best defenses. Morehead State ranks ninth in the nation in defensive efficiency (101.8), while Nevada is fifth (98.7). Also, the Wolf Pack commit the sixth-fewest errors in the nation (TO% of 17.7%), while the disruptive defense of the Eagles causes the most (opponents’ TO% of 22.2%).
The Eagles come into this game 22-12 Straight Up (SU) and 19-13 Against The Spread (ATS). The Morehead State defense overall is very good at home, only giving up 64.0 points per game. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Eagles, allowing a field goal percentage of only .436.
In the other locker room, the Wolf Pack head into the game with records of 18-15 ATS and 22-13 SU. Nevada performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-2 record. The Wolf Pack convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking 44th in the nation at .736. The Wolf Pack have controlled the glass with an average of 40.5 rebounds per game, 17th in the country. Shifting to the other side of the court, the Wolf Pack have one of the best opponent field-goal percentages in the nation at .396.
Morehead State won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 1-0 over the Wolf Pack. The Eagles also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mor, ATS Winner – Mor
Notes
Nevada scores just 71.9 points per away game (ranked 106th). Morehead State ranks 47th in points allowed at home, giving up 64.0 points.
The Morehead State Eagles have a defensive rating of 101.8 (ranked ninth), while the Nevada Wolf Pack have an offensive rating of 103.4 (ranked 222nd).
The Nevada Wolf Pack average a field goal percentage of 42.2% this season. The Morehead State Eagles have a losing record of 6-12 when opponents have a FG% of 42.2% or greater.
The Morehead State Eagles and the Nevada Wolf Pack both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Morehead State is 234th and 194th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Nevada ranks 306th and 265th in these categories.
Nevada, the seventh-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.7 per game. Morehead State ranks lower at 312th with 2.3.
Morehead State ranks among the best in the nation in offensive rebounding at fourth, while Nevada ranks a solid 19th in defensive rebounds.
The Morehead State Eagles average 8.2 steals per game (ranked 16th). The Nevada Wolf Pack have an abysmal record of 1-6 when they allow at least 8 steals.
